London, July 12, 2018 (AltAfrica)-The “Obaship” tussle occasioned by the elevation of High Chiefs in Ibadan, capital city of Oyo State in the south-west axis of Nigeria by the state Governor, Isiaka Abiola Ajimobi, is far from being over as the issue has allegedly led to the stoppage of the salary of the paramount ruler of the land, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji, Aje Ogungunniso 1.

The monarch, has declared as disgraceful statement by the embattled high-chiefs claiming to be responsible for the stoppage of his salaries and would continue to withhold it until their kingship status is recognised by him.

Referring to the judgement of the Oyo State High Court on Friday 19th January, 2018 presided over by Justice Abimbola Aiki which declared the State Government Chieftaincy review exercise illegal, null and void and of no effect, the Olubadan Media Office stated that it would be improper for any law abiding citizen to condone illegality and criminality by conferring legitimacy on kingship without domain that is not recognised by law, more so as the judgement in question has not been set aside by a superior court.

In a statement by signed by Adeola Oloko, Personal Assistant / Director of Media and Public Affairs for Olubadan, first class monarch said the working tools of any Olubadan and his council remained the Ibadan Chieftaincy Declaration, Oyo State Chiefs’ Law and Oyo State Obas and Chiefs laws but lamented that the embattled High Chiefs do not seem to have copies of the working tools, going by their recent statement.

The Media office has also reminded the High Chiefs that by law, custom and tradition, the Olubadan is the President of 11 Local Government Traditional Councils in Ibadan land, adding that the embattled high chiefs who are today claiming responsibility for the seizure of the monarch’s salaries are mere representatives of the first class monarch and they occupy their positions at the Local Government Traditional Councils at the pleasure of the Olubadan. The embattled high chiefs were also informed that as the head wags the tail and not vice versa, a subordinate does not lord it over his principal anywhere in the world.

Referring the Ajimobi kings to the position of the law, Oba Adetunji stated that on page 13 of the Western State Chieftaincy Declarations Ibadan City Area titled Declaration Made under section 4 (3) of the Chiefs Law 1957 of the customary law regulating the selection of Ekerin Balogun of Ibadan Chieftaincy, it is stated categorically that any junior chief found guilty by a meeting of the chiefs who are traditional members of the council of disregard, of disrespect to the position or authority of the Olubadan or of a senior chief under Native Law and custom may not be eligible for promotion to the (Olubadan) stool.

Disregard or disrespect shall mean acts of contumely, refusal to pay necessary customary obeisance and flouting of superior customary authority. “In other words, all these artificial kings are simultaneously guilty by utterances of an act of contumely and recklessness. None of these artificial kings can be promoted to the throne of Olubadan behind the back of Olubadan. The Otun Olubadan, who calls himself Oba Lekan Balogun like any of those artificial kings, must pass some acid test in the presence or absence of an Olubadan of Ibadan, it is therefore necessary that the High Chiefs who prefer to call themselves obas must be careful and eschew reckless statement on the Olubadan as an attack on Olubadan is automatically an attack on Ibadan land.

According to the monarch’s Media Office, the High Chiefs must remember that the Olubadan is the only one who will never seek promotion because he has reached the top of the ladder, stressing that all the others must refrain from shooting themselves at the foot for their own sakes

On the imperial status of Olubadan, the Media Office stated categorically that the imperial status of the first class monarch predated the creation of the so-called Oyo State Government Chieftaincy review as insinuated by the high chiefs. So, the high chiefs were therefore referred to go back and look at the Olubadan coronation programme of events printed by the Oyo State Government on March 4th, 2016, it added that any student of etymology would know that the word “Imperial” is derived from the word “Empire”, adding that the historical foundation of Ibadan is what makes the Olubadan His Imperial Majesty. In other words, the appellation imperial is earned and not given.

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